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Main Street previews AR exhibit and urges repairs at historic depot
Summary
Venetia Main Street updated the council on events and the depot visitor center, reported farmer’s‑market attendance of about 3,364, and introduced a pilot augmented‑reality project to animate the city’s historic train‑ferry operation. Main Street leaders and a presenter asked the city to help cost depot repairs so the facility can support the project.
Venetia Main Street leaders told the council they are expanding downtown events and preparing the depot to host tourism activities. Christina Strawbridge, president of Venetia Main Street, said the weekly farmers market drew “about 3,364” visitors and described Waterfront Rocks and other events as key draws for local businesses and tourism.
Strawbridge and Main Street asked the city to help prioritize maintenance at the historic depot, which Main Street occupies and uses as a visitor center. Strawbridge said the depot needs deck and gutter work, window and exterior painting and graffiti cleanup; she said Main Street has a dedicated maintenance account with “over $100,000” but staff estimates are needed to set a scope and timeline. The group asked to return to the May 20 council meeting with cost estimates.
Separately, Bill Buttemer of Travel AR Studios presented a pilot augmented‑reality exhibit that would superimpose 3‑D models of Benicia’s early 20th‑century train‑ferry operation at the depot and pier. Buttemer said the project would pair scanned museum models, phone‑based AR and rentable goggles to let visitors “see what used to be there.” He described the pilot as proof‑of‑concept, seeking community support and potential sponsorships rather than immediate user fees.
Council members and residents encouraged partnerships with the State Railroad Museum and asked how the project might be monetized and sequenced alongside depot repairs. Strawbridge said Main Street (a 501(c)(3)) can pursue sponsorships and that the organization is coordinating with the maintenance department to produce a punch list and cost estimates for the depot exterior.
